Nations Cup win

DENIS Flannelly and Liz Brennan’s tenure at the head of HSI’s new youth show jumping programme got off to a spectacular start on Friday afternoon when Ireland won the Ponies Nations Cup in Sentower Park. The team of Lily Tunney with Correli Clover, Sam Widger with Western Ranger, Cian McMunn with Kandide Van Seven Oaks, Charlie Flynn with HK Zena and Juliette McIntosh with Dunard Trixie Mix saw off some of Europe’s best nations finishing on a total of six faults ahead of runners-up The Netherlands on eight faults and France on nine faults. A delighted Flannelly said: “This is absolutely fantastic and it gets our Nations Cup weekend off to the best possible start. The team have been superb and they really showed their class out there today – I couldn’t be happier.” Full report in next week's paper.

Irish drivers on podium

IRELAND’S John Kennedy was third in the 2* Pony Pairs class at Exloo (NED) for the first European FEI event of 2025 with one of his two entries at the event; he also won the marathon phase and placed fourth overall with his second turnout. Annika Rohrssen won the dressage and finished second overall in the 3* Pony Pairs.

Both John and Annika will be competing again at Kronenberg FEI Driving event in April with John combining his pairs to drive his first Pony Team 2*. They will be joined by Richard Logan in the 3* Pony Pairs, Arthur Sheane in the Junior Single Pony and 2* Single Horse classes and Emma Golding in the Para class.

Michael McCarthy RIP

CONDOLENCES to the family of Michael McCarthy (MRCVS) who sadly passed away on March 15th 2025 in Clonakilty, West Cork. He was an avid reader of The Irish Field and a great showman down through the years with wins including at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. He is sadly missed by his heartbroken wife Nuala, brothers and sisters Mary, Jerry, Patrick, Catherine, Charles and Fr. John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Stallion showcase

DIAMONDS Equine Renvyle, Co Galway has extended an invitation to all to their stallion showcase which is on this Sunday, April 6th from 2pm to 4pm. In the line up will be a selection of six Class 1 Connemara performance stallions available at Stud. Attendees can meet and greet breeders, producers and pony enthusiasts. There will also be a talk on preparing your mare for the breeding season with vet Dara Larkin. Refreshments and prizes, including stallion nominations, will be on offer on the day. The eircode of the stud is H91 K8Y9 or phone Priscilla Diamond for further details on 086-3244077.

Fitzgerald painting in charity auction

ART lovers will have a unique opportunity to snap up a stunning original oil painting by one of Ireland’s leading contemporary equine artists, John Fitzgerald, at Goresbridge Antiques auction in Co Kilkenny this Monday, April 7th.

Among the 800-plus lots of collectables and antiques on offer, the oil on board titled ‘After The Race, Gowran Park’ is being sold with no reserve or commission. All proceeds will go to Hospice Africa Uganda, a charity with strong Irish links that provides palliative care to the critically ill living in dire poverty in Uganda.

Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge Antiques said: “John Fitzgerald’s equine paintings are highly sought after and this is a great opportunity to buy, with all proceeds going to an incredible cause.” Contact 087 256 9496 for further details.